Best Farms To Host Your Wedding

Rustic barn weddings are all the rage these days. Planning a wedding is stressful enough, so we thought we’d shorten your to-do list and compile some farms and ranches in Southern California (and two in Central California!) that would be perfect for your upcoming festivities.

1. Rancho San Julian (Lompoc)
For two centuries Rancho San Julian has played host to many weddings. It’s one of the last, great Spanish-Mexican land grants that remains in the family of the original grantee. The cattle ranch covers 13,000 acres, complete with thick oak forests, rolling hills, and vast pastures. It has also been a prime filming location since 1984.

Address: 6000 San Julian Rd., Lompoc, CA 93436
Phone: (805) 736-3097

Walnut Grove

2. Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada Farms (Moorpark)Walnut Grove is an idyllic place for a delightfully rustic wedding ceremony. The grove is located in the working Tierra Rejada Farms, which was originally founded in 1935 in Moorpark. From the second your guests enter the 120-acre grounds they will be greeted with serenity. The road into the venue follows a bubbling creek, which leads to magnificent rows of eucalyptus and walnut trees. Springtime and summer weddings can enjoy the beauty and aroma of the surrounding hills of lush green grass and blooming apricot trees, oranges, avocados, and harvest vegetables. Couples say their vows under a canopy of tree branches in a 50-year-old walnut grove with an adorably rustic brick wedding aisle.

The homespun feel of the venue can lend to many different wedding styles from a swanky soiree to an intimate family wedding. Guests can enjoy their dinner under the night sky and dance the night away beneath the twinkling branches enchantingly wrapped with café lights. Another charming amenity is the recently added outdoor custom cigar bar with oversized sofas and chairs, which can be the perfect addition to top off your special day.

The grove specializes in elaborate food station presentations and themed weddings.

3. McCormick Home Ranch (Camarillo)
If you’re ready to experience the best of California on your wedding day, this 1918 Colonial-style home could be the perfect touch of class your reception is looking for. The grounds and garden are well-kept, spacious, and styled fantastically with Adirondack style furniture, picnic tables, birdhouses, and more.

The ranch has been used for four generations of memorable McCormick family gatherings, and the Home Ranch is now open to the public. The ranch house can hold up to 250 guests and the wonderful gardens are available from early spring through late fall.

The venue has an overall adorably rustic feel to it and with the special touches like the vintage white iron guest book stand, old-fashioned green barn house, and the old wooden gift cart, you’re bound to fall head over heels with this location.

4.Maravilla Gardens (Camarillo )
Maravilla Gardens is a secluded little oasis just north of Los Angeles. There are lush green lawns, fantastic views, and a soft ocean breeze that carries the scent of the fragrant gardens throughout the venue. The grounds overlook five acres of a picturesque working farm that rotates growing crops such as cilantro, corn, and tomatoes throughout the year. The venue also offers beautiful music, delicious food, charming outdoor café lights, and an attentive and knowledgeable staff.

Address: 8620 Santa Rosa Rd. Camarillo CA 93012
Phone: (805)491-1400

5. Orcutt Ranch (West Hills)
Orcutt Ranch is a little known secret tucked away in West Hills, CA. The ranch was once one of the first residences in the area. Today the location is marked as Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument No. 31 and is open for public use. The ranch is surrounded by a lush layer of towering oak trees and row upon row of citrus groves. If you take a walk down one of the nature trails you might stumble upon the 740-year-old oak tree, the rose-maze, gazebo or bamboo forests. Along with the farmhouse and numerous arrays of plants, the grounds also offer manicured gardens perfect for any occasion.

The location can hold up to 175 guests and has spacious shaded patios perfect for any party or dinner and a quaint guest house with two dressing rooms.

Address: 23600 Roscoe Blvd. West Hills CA 91304
Phone: (818) 346-7449

6. Holman Ranch (Carmel Valley)
The cozy yet elegant feel of Holman Ranch will bring an understated elegance to any wedding ceremony. The venue offers 360-degree views of the Santa Lucia Mountains as well as modern accommodations in a beautifully refurbished 1928 Carmel stone hacienda. The venue also offers home-pressed olive oil from their personal olive orchards and wines grown on the premises. Your guests can enjoy their stay with a personal tasting in the ranch’s tasting room, spend the day by the horse stables, or enjoy the charming scenery with a refreshing glass of wine.

The ranch has most recently been awarded the 2014 Wedding Industry Experts Award in four different categories: best reception venue in Carmel Valley, California, the United States, and it ranked number two in the world. Packages range from $1,000 to $32,000.